NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL IN SPECIAL SESSION TODAY, JUNE 6, 2014, BECAUSE COUNCIL LOST QUORUM ON MAY 30, 2014, AND DIDN’T FINISH ITS AGENDA. THERE ARE THREE ITEMS ON TODAY’S AGENDA. THE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED TWO OF THE THREE ITEMS.
The Council temporarily tabled LEGISLATION 0102-14, which is for the Council appropriate $5 million for 110 chapters. There are two amendments to 0102-14 approved by the Council, which include $1 million for veterans’ financial assistance and the attachment of all chapter resolutions to 0102-14.
When the Council temporarily tabled 0102-14, Katherine Benally made an amendment #4 to increase $5 million to $15 million, after financial documents for another amendment #3, which was $3 million for summer employment for college students and high school students at the 110 chapters, were still unavailable.
DELEGATE DANNY SIMPSON
I support an additional $10 million for 110 chapters but I’d prefer that the $15 million be a separate amendment and not replace $5 million. And Delegate Kenneth Maryboy is also pushing for the $10 million. And so I ask Delegate K.Benally to modify her amendment #4.
DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
the $15 million is for the same account numbers and so why have different budget packet. My amendment #4 is for $10 million. If Delegate Maryboy has $10 m. and I have a $10 m and I made amendment first then Delegate Maryboy should support my amendment. I just got more determined. This is the People’s money. They are requesting it and they ask President Shelly for it where ever he goes. So my amendment is $15 million without modifications which means no amendment but a total increase of main amount of $5 million to $15 million.
DLEGATE RUSSELL BEGAYE
Original Legislation 0102-14 has signature of Leonard Chee, Navajo Division of Community Development director, and now Delgate Katherine Benally’s amendment lacks that signature and so is this legislation in order?
CHIEF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL LEVON HENRY
in most instances when amendment comes from council floor, those signature may be done by Speaker.
DELEGATE LORENZO CURLEY
I want President Shelly to supports this and Shelly says he’s from Lupton chapter and those are his roots and so he better not veto this.
DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
When i first became council delegate, 12 years ago, we were always told when legislation comes to council, it is your legislation and you can make any amendment you want. you will not be censored. but we are allowing that to happen and all in fear of veto. but it’s our job to legislate for communities. this money is not going into our pockets.
COUNCIL VOTING ON AMENDMENT #4, DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY WANTS $5 MILLION FOR 110 CHAPTERS TO BE INCREASED TO $15 MILLION.
VOTE AT 1:11 P.M. IS 10 IN FAVOR, 5 OPPOSED.
COUNCIL VOTING ON
